Evergreens serve special function in winter customs

The morning sun peeks above the horizon a few minutes later each day, nearing its southernmost point around the 21st of this month. Those who patiently watch and wait for the sun to rise at dawn on the winter solstice know precisely that point on their particular horizon.

To lift the spirits on these shortening winter days, the early weeks of December find many of us trooping off into the woods in search of evergreen boughs with which we craft a multitude of seasonal decorations. This practice is an ancient one. Taking part in winter woods-walking and harvesting a bit of the beauty there is satisfying in the very same way as is reaping the garden’s bounty.

Evergreens play a special role in our winter customs. Branches that remain green through the harshness of winter offer hope that a verdant spring will return. In fact, ancient Greeks and Romans thought evergreen trees harnessed some sort of supernatural power, since their leaves remained green year-round. During the bleak winter months, they brought boughs indoors and viewed the greenery as a symbol of life and a promise from nature of the return of spring.

During the Victorian era, it was customary to incorporate nature into everyday life in many ways, including adorning the home and yard with elaborate floral arrangements and gardens in summer. During the winter months, evergreen boughs and other greenery were brought into the home and elaborate mantel and table arrangements were crafted using boughs of yew and hemlock as well as cuttings from laurel, holly and ivy. A belief that holly is male and ivy female dates to the Middle Ages and underlies the custom of intertwining the two plants. Arranged together in seasonal decorations, holly was thought to harbor protective powers and ivy symbolized love.

The greenery and berries of mistletoe, of course, have their own special meaning during the holidays. The popular custom of kissing anyone caught under a sprig of the plant has roots in Scandinavian mythology, according to which the son of the goddess of love was struck dead with an arrow made from the plant. The goddess Frigga wept, her tears turning to the white berries of mistletoe. She declared that the plant should not be used to kill, but instead be used to nurture love. Hence, the smooching!

Numerous historic uses of greenery – from harvesting sprigs of plants to entire evergreen trees – circle the globe. From Europe to the Americans and covering most landmasses that experience winter’s chilly weather, the traditions are rooted well and bind us today with people from the past. Look to your landscape for interesting materials with which your home may be adorned this winter. The traditional balsam fir is fragrant and long-lasting, yet there are a number of other evergreens that offer interestingly textured foliage, cones and berries.

Pine, cedar, hemlock and yew produce fine greenery for arrangements, wreaths and garlands. Pine has a woodsy fragrance, while cedar and yew are virtually scent free. Cedar and hemlock produce delicate little brown cones at the tips of some branches, and these add character to decorations. Some yews produce festive-looking red fruits if you can beat the birds to them.

Spruce and juniper are among the evergreens that produce a not-too-pleasant aroma. For outdoor decorations, this quality may be acceptable, however, and may be well worth any potential discomfort, since the two evergreens may lend a pretty bluish-green hue to wreaths, arrangements and garlands.

Broadleaf evergreens, such as holly, boxwood and selected shoots of rhododendron add a rich, lush affect to decorations. In general, these broadleaf plants produce more slowly during the growing months, so harvest prudently.

As you harvest greens this season, keep in mind that they should be kept in a cool moist place as long as possible. Keeping the cut ends in water until the “brush” is used in arrangements is advisable. Broad-leaved plants in particular need a continuous supply of water. Avoid placing decorations in hot, dry places. Cut greens dry quickly under these conditions and may become unsightly.